Ted thought Nick Cox was to blame, but what did he have to gain from damaging the trees that weren’t on his property? If she were to hazard a guess, she’d pick the little gang of teenagers in town, the ones too young to drive, who tromped around in hiking boots and leather jackets laughing loudly and pushing one another. Or maybe Nina Strauss, trying to drum up a little interest in Willard Park before the weather turned cold. She was just loony enough to think any publicity was good publicity. Or maybe it was Grant, turning to petty vandalism now that he couldn’t smoke weed anymore. God. She hoped it wasn’t Grant.

“What’s your theory on the trees?” she said.

“What trees?” Grant said, which was confirmation enough. He worked his fingers into the steel beams that were Suzanne’s shoulders.

“That feels great. Can we just do this? You rubbing my back?”

“Sure, hon. Roll on your belly and I’ll give you a real massage.”

She tensed, the work he had done so far undone in a single instant. “I can’t.”

Adam appeared at their bedroom door like a benevolent ghost, saving her—for the moment—from having to tell Grant.

“I can’t sleep!” he screamed.

“Hold on there, partner. It’s okay. I’ll sit with you.” Grant climbed out of bed.

“I want Mommy!” Adam cried, so Suzanne, feeling victorious despite herself, took him back to his room. She lay down beside him and rubbed his back, much as Grant had rubbed hers. She took in the smell of him, the sweet smells of the soap from his bath and little-boy sleep. After a while, Adam fell asleep, his thumb in his mouth; she was nearly asleep herself, but she made herself get up. She had to tell him.

He, too, was asleep by the time she returned.

She tapped him on the shoulder. He didn’t budge. She squeezed his upper arm gently. “Grant?”

He murmured a little.

“I’m pregnant,” she said, sotto voce. Okay, done.

She started breathing more deeply now. She imagined herself as a big balloon, inflating, deflating. She was on her way to becoming a big balloon, that was for sure.

“You’re what?” Grant said, his voice quite alert for someone who had just been asleep.

“Pregnant.”

“Pregnant?”

“Yes.”

He didn’t say anything.

“You’re upset,” she said.

“No! No! It’s great!”

“I thought you’d be glad,” she said. “You’re the one who wanted a big family.”

“I did,” he said. “I mean, I am. I do!”

He kissed her cheek, embraced her. But she’d heard that initial internal groan.

“I do. I mean, of course I do. Suze, you’re a great mother.”

“I can’t get any work done as it is, Grant.”

“Hire a sitter. It’s worth it.”

“He wants me.”

“Get your mom to come up.”